Officials set to announce sale of part of Sunoco's Hook site

At least part of the iconic Sunoco refinery in Marcus Hook appears to have a future.

Local officials are expected to make an announcement today regarding an agreement for the former Sunoco Inc. refinery in Marcus Hook.

Its next-door neighbor, Braskem America, is expected to hold a news conference to announce it is acquiring part of the site.

Elected officials, including state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, and House Appropriations Majority Chairman Bill Adolph, R-165, of Springfield, will announce the details of the deal at an afternoon news conference in Marcus Hook. Gov. Tom Corbett is also expected to be there.

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The refinery has been idled for months since it was shut down by Sunoco. The company announced in September 2011 that it was exiting the refining business and that if a buyer could not be found for the facility, it would be shut down.

Last week, Braskem officials announced they purchased the propylene splitter assets at Sunoco's former Marcus Hook refinery.

"We are very pleased to complete this transaction and to bring certainty to our clients, employees and the local community regarding the future of operations at our Marcus Hook site," Fernando Musa, Braskem America's CEO, said in a prepared statement.

Braskem has employed about 100 employees at the borough facility, which has produced about 770 million pounds of polypropylene annually.

In 2010, Brazil-based Braskem S.A. purchased the polypropylene plant in Delaware County from Sunoco Inc. for about $350 million.

When Sunoco officials idled that plant in December, Braskem officials said they were weighing their options, both short-term and long-term, to keep their facility operating.

Regarding the recent splitter purchase, Marcus Hook Mayor Jay Schiliro said, "Looking forward, we see the Braskem transaction as a sign of the viability of the former refinery property for other energy and technology companies and its sustainability as a key contributor to the economic health of not only Marcus Hook, but the entire region."

Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle said the deal will be "huge for that area" because it will keep 100 jobs at Braskem's Marcus Hook facility.

Schiliro estimated Braskem will add about 14 more jobs through this transaction.

Sunoco also recently announced a deal with the Carlyle Group to continue operations at its South Philadelphia refinery.

ConocoPhillips has sold its Trainer refinery, which is now being operated by Monroe Energy, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.